Taking the high road

Architectural secrets of Houston's newest landmark — the Rosemont Bridge,revealed

Photo by Steven Thomson
Photo by Steven Thomson
Photo by Steven Thomson
Photo by Steven Thomson

Saturday marks the opening of Rosemont Bridge, the 780-ft.-long structure that connects pedestrians and cyclists between Allen Parkway and northern and southern trails along Memorial Drive. From its unusual forked pathway to its views of the downtown skyline, the bridge represents a highlight in the city's evolving infrastructure.

CultureMap spoke via phone with one of the project's designers, SWA Group's Julia Mandell, currently on assignment in Shanghai, to gain insight on the bridge's conception.

CultureMap: Were there any precedents that inspired the bridge's design?

Julia Mandell: It was designed in relation to the Hobby Center bridge that we had designed as part of the Bagby to Sabine project. The idea was to continue that language of basic materials. In a sense, it was taking that palette and applying it to a pretty audacious alignment. Rosemont is almost like a highway interchange bridge, which is ironic given the Houston setting.

When we started thinking about supporting it with these intermeidary supports, we began looking around at other bridges with ambitious technical requirements in terms of the curvature and length — and we realized we couldn't afford it. Bridges like Calatrava's and the Millennium Bridge all cost in the $10 to $20 million range. The Rosemont Bridge, including fees, was only $5 million. We wanted it to be beautiful but also really fit the budget.

CM: The bridge's name and design has changed over the course of its planning. How was the final look determined?

JM: In 2008, we started honing in on a final design. It went through a bunch of iterations in shape and alignment. From the very beginning we had the idea for this curving truss bridge. Originally there was a plan for a straight span bridge, but there was the question of how to get down to the bayou while also spanning the highways. There were plans for all of these crazy stairs, and it was this very complex vertical circulation thing, so we reexamined.

CM: What was it like working with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership?

JM: SWA has been involved with Buffalo Bayou Partnership for a long time. We have a really rich relationship with them. Our CEO Kevin Shanley drew their masterplan in 2003, but the entire idea of this pedestrian connection has been circulating for 10 years, maybe longer.

CM: Can you elaborate on the bridge's relationship to the surrounding area?

JM: It will create a north-south pedestrian connection on Montrose to make it easier to get from the Montrose neighborhood to the Heights. The other important idea is to create a loop along the bayou. Otherwise, the trails are a four-mile stretch without a crossing. That was the reasoning for where the connection is — in order to make it really useful, it became obvious pretty quickly that it needed to cross both Allen Parkway, the bayou and Memorial.

CM: How did the team maintain cost efficiency?

JM: We were able to do it within our budget because we're in Houston, and because Houston is the base of the offshore oil industry. We found an offshore refinery fabricator, King Fabrication, that has a huge shop. They have nice craftsmanship, and it's not like they typically work with architects, but they really got excited about this project. They engineered the whole thing and did the curving truss. I've found only one other bridge in the U.S. that was a curved truss. The Rosemont Bridge was prefabricated, which means it was made in segments that were brought in with cranes. With prefabrication, the biggest expense is shipping. But since the parts were made here in Houston, that cost was diminished.

One of the fun things about being a designer in Houston is the way it operates with no zoning and the public/private partnerships that arise from the unique way we operate. It gives you a lot of freedom. People say that's a problem, but for the designer it can be really great. It was the TIRZ [Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone] board that wanted to do this and saw the possibility. There was room for that individual passion, but also it's just what you do in Houston: Say, "I want to do this thing, and I'm going to do it."

CM: To what extend do you think the bridge will become a destination in the city?

JM: It remains to be seen how much of an icon it would be. I can't say. I hope so. There are also two more major bridge connections planned for pedestrians across the bayou, with the hope that those bridges will also be pretty exciting, intensive projects. I think there's the possibility to create a string of unique bridges and have them together be an icon.

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more than floors

70s revival and layers of style lead design expert's top tile trends

Home design trend tile wall Floor & Decor

Courtesy of Floor & Decor

In 2026, bold statement tile is reaching far beyond kitchens and bathrooms.

Year after year, trend forecasting is all the rage come January. From bold flooring to cream-colored kitchens, a pair of themes ties all of 2026’s home design trends together — organic materials and vintage vibes reign supreme.

This week, economical designer and DIY-weekend-warrior favorite Floor & Decor released its four top style predictions, plus its 2026 “Tiles of the Year.” Interestingly, tile is extending its reach beyond the typical wet space parameters. Think bold statement walls in dining and living rooms, and fun textures and patterns splayed across tabletops. When it comes to tile, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of “why not?!”

Trends this year draw from a wide range of influences — vintage eras, natural elements, and inventive material combinations — allowing homeowners and designers to reimagine kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces in distinctive ways.

“We're craving the comfort of nostalgia. Vintage-inspired tile is surging, especially styles that nod to the 70s with warm tones, textures, and patterns,” Ashley Biscan, design and trend expert at Floor & Decor tells CultureMap. “What makes this revival feel current is the balance against clean lines and modern installation, so it feels intentional and pays homage, as opposed to feeling dated.”

As far as application is concerned, Biscan points out that tiling walls in dining and living rooms is more in line with a renaissance than a revelation. “Although wall tile might seem unconventional in a dining room, it's more traditional than some might think and harkens back to charming design eras,” explains Biscan. “This year, style is all about curating personal statements through layers of texture, pattern, and color in key gathering spaces. Every dinner party needs a conversation piece, after all.”

Trendy Houstonians and Round Top regulars — arguably cut from the same cloth — have no doubt taken notice of tiled tabletops popping up everywhere from top shops to the see-and-be-scene patio at the new Hotel Daphne in The Heights.

“Seeing tile used in unexpected places like tabletops or coffee tables reflects a broader shift toward material-driven design and handmade craftsmanship,” says Biscan. “There are durable options that work really well in these formats that are both functional and beautiful and truly one of a kind.”

Looking to incorporate tile into an unconventional room or furniture piece, but can’t seem to commit? Mixing and matching new tile trends into somewhat of a quilt or tapestry design is not something to fear.

“Mixing and matching tile is a clever way to enrich a space, add character, and make it personal,” shares Biscan. “To keep an eclectic look cohesive, layer tiles within the same color palette. A popular example with warm neutrals is the combination of depth and texture through natural stone and ceramic zellige combinations.”

"This year's design trends celebrate both nature's richness and the joy of personal expression," says Biscan. "From earthy palettes and textured materials to layered patterns and tailored combinations, every space can feel thoughtful and dynamic. The Vetta Elements Collection in Luxe Earth captures this spirit perfectly, offering versatile ways to mix colors, textures, and formats for interiors that are both sophisticated and uniquely personal."

Biscan has named Luxe Earth from the Vetta Elements Collection as the Floor & Decor Tile of the Year. A versatile porcelain tile designed to elevate any space, its rich, earthy tones bring warmth to both indoor and outdoor settings, providing a welcoming foundation. With a mix-and-match approach, homeowners and designers can experiment with sizes, colors, and patterns to craft a personalized look that is durable enough for high-traffic areas yet refined enough for feature walls. Vetta Elements demonstrates how design-forward style and practicality can coexist seamlessly.

As promised, here is Floor & Decor's 2026 Design Trends Forecast, showcasing interiors that are bold and full of character.

Retro Rhapsody: 70s Revival with Modern Edge
Warm nostalgia meets contemporary polish as the spirit of the 1970s reenters the home. Saturated hues, sculptural forms, and rich wood finishes create spaces that feel expressive yet intentional. Deep ambers, soft burgundies, and smoky neutrals pair with geometric patterns, curved silhouettes, and tactile materials to bring depth and personality to kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. When balanced with clean lines and refined finishes, these retro influences feel inviting and distinctly current.

Crème Brûlée Kitchens: Warm Neutrals Reimagined
The classic white kitchen is being refreshed through toasted neutrals, with layers of vanilla, eggshell, and Swiss Coffee bringing warmth and depth to the heart of the home without sacrificing brightness. Subtle tonal variation across cabinetry, surfaces, and finishes creates a cohesive, elevated look that feels timeless yet indulgent.

Lush Landscape: Organic Depth and Texture
Natural influence is taking a more textural, tonal form. Colors drawn from earth, sand, and sky are interpreted through layered finishes and pronounced surfaces, adding richness and dimension to interiors with material-driven spaces and an emphasis on depth and organic continuity.

Eclectic Artistry: Personalized Layers of Style
Mix eras, textures, and patterns to create bold and unexpected combinations that tell a story with nods to the past. Intentional combinations of color and material create spaces that feel layered and unmistakably personal.